Red Cross Earthquake Commission Announces New Grants

New Zealand Red Cross Canterbury Earthquake
Commission has announced two new types of grants for people
affected by the 4 September quake.

Financial support for
small business grants are for people who have suffered a
significant reduction in household income due to the forced
closure of a small business. One-off grants of up to $2,000
will be made to people who meet conditions including having
a small business that is no longer viable because of the
disaster.

Relocation grants are for people who have to
move from their homes while repairs to their houses or land
are made, or are already in temporary accommodation because
their home is uninhabitable and they are waiting for
repairs. Owners or tenants can apply for grants of up to
$2,750 by showing they need to stay in alternative
accommodation.

Commission Chairman Sir John Hansen said,
“Since the earthquake, we have been listening to the needs
of Cantabrians affected by the quake. We know there are a
lot of people with small businesses who are suffering. We
also know that many households will have to relocate during
reconstruction, and in most cases the costs will not be
fully covered by insurance. The financial support and
relocation grants are designed to ease those
burdens.”

It is expected the financial support and
relocation grants together will use up the remaining donated
funds based on figures released by EQC last week.

People
who have received emergency, damaged homes or hardship
grants and meet the criteria may apply for the new grants.
Applications for Hardship Grants closed on 4 December.

The latest figures show a
total of 10,500 grant applications have been received, with
a response time of three to four weeks. About $11 million is
expected to be paid out in grants already accepted or being
processed. Over $21million has been received in donations
from the government, business and people across New Zealand.

Applications for these new grants are now open but will
not be processed until after 20 January 2011.

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